Couple indicted on charges of tax fraud

SACRAMENTO - A Manteca couple have been indicted on federal charges for filing false tax returns totaling $400,000 in refunds and filing liens against Internal Revenue Service property.

The Record

SACRAMENTO - A Manteca couple have been indicted on federal charges for filing false tax returns totaling $400,000 in refunds and filing liens against Internal Revenue Service property.

Robert Eldon Robertson and his wife, Esther Lynne Robertson, filed two federal income tax returns using fake 1099 forms, according to the indictment. For the 2005 tax year, they claimed a $90,538 refund and for 2007, they filed for a $313,248 refund.

Federal prosecutors also say the defendants each filed false liens against property of the IRS commissioner. They sent a fraudulent "international promissory note" requesting the IRS apply the $800,000 face value of the note to their outstanding tax liabilities, according to the indictment.

The IRS also received a letter asking the agency to pay $20,000 in credit card bills that belonged the Robertsons.

If convicted, the duo each face up to five years in prison for each bogus tax return claim, three years in prison for one obstruction count, and 10 years for filing false liens.